Spare wheel Do or Don't

[RogerL]

On the subject of tyre pressures what gauge is used and how do you know its accuracy? I have three gauges and at a nominal 33psi there’s a variation of 3psi across the nominal. The gauges on my three types of inflator ( track pump, foot pump and powered) are rubbish. So I use just one gauge, a PCL digital, and keep an eye on tread wear. In the glove box of the second car is a PCL pencil gauge that in the event of a TPMS alert can be used on warm tyres to check the equality of pressure across an axle.


PCL digital

I recall a test some years back where traditional "pencil" gauges were the most accurate - with garage airline gauges the least accurate.

When I want to do a pressure check I pump the tyres up a bit the night before and then adjust them using a pencil gauge first thing in a morning, so the tyres are cold and not affected by radiant heat from the sun - it's the only way I've found to get consistent readings - the car's TPMS does then display the actual pressures of each individual tyre during a journey, which of course rise naturally

 

[otherclive]

I recall a test some years back where traditional "pencil" gauges were the most accurate - with garage airline gauges the least accurate.

When I want to do a pressure check I pump the tyres up a bit the night before and then adjust them using a pencil gauge first thing in a morning, so the tyres are cold and not affected by radiant heat from the sun - it's the only way I've found to get consistent readings - the car's TPMS does then display the actual pressures of each individual tyre during a journey, which of course rise naturally

Likewise I always check or adjust my tyre pressures when they are cool and no sun. Where we live that’s early evening in summer. Today it could be anytime. 🙁

 

[JTQ]

The digital ones, if this LINK test is itself reliable, seem to be good on accuracy.

If looking at Clive's and the above test's recommendation from PCL, again if the offer is itself genuine, this LINK saves a bit.

edit: looks a bit clumsy to use on my Brompton's front wheel, but that seems par for the course, for gauges and inflators as well. Pencils typically go no where near high enough.

 

[otherclive]

The digital ones, if this LINK test is itself reliable, seem to be good on accuracy.

If looking at Clive's and the above test's recommendation from PCL, again if the offer is itself genuine, this LINK saves a bit.

edit: looks a bit clumsy to use on my Brompton's front wheel, but that seems par for the course, for gauges and inflators as well. Pencils typically go no where near high enough.

That’s the one I purchased. Looking at PCLs website it’s much cheaper on eBay or Amazon. Apart from its accuracy compared to pencil gauges it’s very easy to use and doesn’t lose air as you put it onto the tyre valve as many gauges tend to especially on alloy spoked wheels.

 

[izzy]

I use a locking dial guage with a short flexi lead. seems fairly accurate

 

[toad a caravan]

I bought a "Swift" (£10 approx) spare wheel carrier that fits into the front locker,my van has two locker doors so getting the spare wheel in place isn't easy,I prefer a struggle and spare wheel rather than no spare

 

[Buckman]

There are cases where the in car tyre pressure warning system is not one displaying the pressures but simply a technology that warns based on comparing the relative wheel rotation speeds.
Should the owner of a car have that type of system I can well understand they would like to have a pressure display, not least because they can be proactive to more modest pressure losses than IME the speed derived system comes up with.
Plus the speed based system does not know the pressures are "wrong", they could all be down a bit, only that one wheel has an issue relative to the others.

If I remember correctly the Suzuki Across is a RAV4 in disguise. Last year I took a Landcruiser for a test drive and noticed that tyre pressures were not displayed so you are probably correct. Myself I would prefer it where I can see the pressure in each individual wheel and also get a warning if the spare drops below pressure.

 

[toad a caravan]

 

[otherclive]

If I remember correctly the Suzuki Across is a RAV4 in disguise. Last year I took a Landcruiser for a test drive and noticed that tyre pressures were not displayed so you are probably correct. Myself I would prefer it where I can see the pressure in each individual wheel and also get a warning if the spare drops below pressure.

Are there TPMS that also monitor the spare? I check mine every couple of months or when going in a holiday jaunt.

 

[Buckman]

Are there TPMS that also monitor the spare? I check mine every couple of months or when going in a holiday jaunt.

Ours does as flashes up an alarm if the pressure drops below 2.1 bar.

 

[RogerL]

Ours does as flashes up an alarm if the pressure drops below 2.1 bar.

The spare on my VW Touareg is unusual in that it's stored deflated, the only way it'll fit the well, and then inflated when needed - a high power electric pump is part of standard specification - the earlier version of Touareg had a connector and hose to allow tyre inflation from the air suspension system.

 

[LateGuitarist]

I always carried a spare - when replacing the main tyres every 6 years, the best one was put on the spare rim - like Clive I wouldn't take the caravan anywhere without one - it travels in the rear footwell behind the front passenger seat rather than in the stupidly-designed Alko holder.

If you don't mind me saying, carrying a spare wheel anywhere inside the cabin of a car is a pretty daft idea. In the unfortunate but not impossible event of the car rolling it would pose a very serious safety hazard. I am of course assuming you don't tie it down so that it cannot become air-born should the worst happen.

 

[RogerL]

If you don't mind me saying, carrying a spare wheel anywhere inside the cabin of a car is a pretty daft idea. In the unfortunate but not impossible event of the car rolling it would pose a very serious safety hazard. I am of course assuming you don't tie it down so that it cannot become air-born should the worst happen.

Thank you for your concern - it's actually wedged between the front passenger seat and the rear seat.

 

[borderbilly]

Thank you for your concern - it's actually wedged between the front passenger seat and the rear seat.

Thats where mine is, and i dont go fast enough to get airbourne.

 

[Buckman]

Thank you for your concern - it's actually wedged between the front passenger seat and the rear seat.

However in a roll over, it could probably fly lose. You could be almost stationary and be involved in a roll over if hit by another car. Same applies if carrying whether carrying a battery, gas cylinder etc in the car especially if the car is an estate.

 

[borderbilly]

T

However in a roll over, it could probably fly lose. You could be almost stationary and be involved in a roll over if hit by another car. Same applies if carrying whether carrying a battery, gas cylinder etc in the car especially if the car is an estate.

I Think in that situation the fuel bomb would get me 1st, after all most vehicles carry a fuel tank.

 

[trevormonty]

I doubt parcel shelf in most SUV, hatchbacks, estate boots would stop heavy items entering cab in a roll. There is something to be said for good old but now rare sedan's secure boot.

 

[Buckman]

T
I Think in that situation the fuel bomb would get me 1st, after all most vehicles carry a fuel tank.

When I rolled over bridge, my fuel tank did not erupt and never has in one or two other accidents I have had in the past 60 years of driving. On one occasion I was hit side on at the rear where the fuel tank is located and no issue with car bursting into flames. I think that is reserved for American movies.

 

[borderbilly]

When I rolled over bridge, my fuel tank did not erupt and never has in one or two other accidents I have had in the past 60 years of driving. On one occasion I was hit side on at the rear where the fuel tank is located and no issue with car bursting into flames. I think that is reserved for American movies.

As you stated in 43 " probably" so the same can be applied to the fuel tank.

 

[borderbilly]

As you stated in 43 " probably" so the same can be applied to the fuel tank.

42 not 43

 

[Dustydog]

I guess this is why it became mandatory to secure dogs on the rear seat.

 

[otherclive]

I guess this is why it became mandatory to secure dogs on the rear seat.

Can’t you put them in the back of an estate or SUV or rear opening hatch like Tesla, Octavia. ?

 

[Dustydog]

Can’t you put them in the back of an estate or SUV or rear opening hatch like Tesla, Octavia. ?

Could have done but all the dogs slept on the back seat before the rules changed. Sadly all in the Springer sky now😥. Plus the boots have always been full of caravan equipment which may in itself have injured the dogs.

 

[Hutch]

I guess this is why it became mandatory to secure dogs on the rear seat.

Dogs, cats and ferrets have to be secured in the main cabin of a car, but don't have to be secured in the Boot/ behind seats, as long as they can't get into main cabin, but if more than two dogs cages or separaters are needed.
Unless new rules have been brought in.

 

[Beachball]

I guess this is why it became mandatory to secure dogs on the rear seat.

Where the rear seat in my car i have removed them and that where we put Sammy in his carrier but I secured it to the floor so he cannot move . they had to come out to give me more access to my mobility scooter and winch from the boot .